ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Anaheim Ducks announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has recalled defenseman Brett Festerling from the Iowa Chops, Anaheim’s primary development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). In addition, the Ducks have reassigned goaltender David LeNeveu to Iowa.

Following the announcement by the Toronto Maple Leafs that Brian Burke has been named the club’s General Manager, Anaheim Ducks Chief Executive Officer Michael Schulman issued the following statement:

“On behalf of the entire Anaheim Ducks family, we would once again like to thank Brian for his tremendous contributions over the last three-plus seasons,” said Schulman. “Brian stated on many occasions his desire to be closer to his family, which we support. We congratulate and wish him the best of luck with the Maple Leafs.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Capitals have signed defensemen Bryan Helmer and recalled him from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.

Helmer, 36, is a 6’1”, 215-pound 16-year pro from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. He is the Bears captain and is second among team defensemen with eight assists. He has also recorded 14 penalty minutes in 21 games this year.

Dorsett suffered a hand injury in tonight’s game vs. the Phoenix Coyotes and will be sidelined indefinitely. In 12 games with the Jackets this season, he has registered one goal and one assist for two points with a team-leading 63 penalty minutes.

The Red Wings today recalled forward Darren Helm from the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League and assigned forward Darren McCarty to the Griffins. The Red Wings also assigned forward Randall Gelech from Grand Rapids to Rochester (AHL).

Helm is currently second on the Griffins roster in scoring with 18 points in 16 games (5-13—18).

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Capitals have recalled defensemen Karl Alzner and Sami Lepisto and forwards Chris Bourque and Graham Mink from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.

DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that it has recalled defenseman Kyle Cumiskey from the Lake Erie Monsters, the team’s American Hockey League affiliate in Cleveland.

Cumiskey leads all Monster defensemen in scoring with eight points (1g/7a) in 16 games played. He was recalled earlier this season by the Avalanche on November 6 and appeared in one game (Nov. 6 vs. MIN) before being reassigned. During the 2007-08 season, Cumiskey appeared in 38 games with the Avalanche, recording five assists.

In a related move, the Avalanche placed forward Darcy Tucker on injured reserve with a knee injury suffered in last night’s game in Anaheim. He’ll be sidelined approximately four weeks.

NEW YORK (November 24, 2008) – The National Hockey League (NHL) today announced a marketing alliance with the Champions Hockey League (CHL), the newly formed European club championship under the authority of the International Ice Hockey Federation.

The CHL began play on October 8, 2008 in 12 European markets. Based on early success, the pan-European league is already scheduled to expand to 22 markets for next season.

Following the NHL’s participation in September’s Victoria Cup, a pre-season tournament in Bern, Switzerland which featured the New York Rangers and two CHL clubs, the two leagues began discussing further cooperation on various marketing initiatives which has led to the new alliance.

The leagues have agreed to form a working group to look at the future of the Victoria Cup, explore other competition formats between the leagues, create joint promotional and sales efforts and develop other cooperative initiatives to foster growth in hockey across North America, Europe and worldwide.

DENVER (November 22, 2008) – The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that forward Brian Willsie has been recalled from the Lake Erie Monsters, the team’s American Hockey League affiliate in Cleveland. He will meet the team in Los Angeles and be available for tonight’s game against the Kings.

This marks Willsie’s first call-up of the season from Lake Erie where he leads the Monsters in goals (8), points (14) and plus/minus rating (+7). After posting goals six consecutive games to start the year, Willsie has recorded five points (2g/3a) in his last four games. Willsie has compiled 104 points (51g/53a) in 334 NHL games, including 15 points (7g/8a) in 69 games with the Avalanche.

In a related move, the Avalanche placed center Ben Guite on injured reserve (ribs) retroactive to November 10